Core Insights - HSBC and Barclays are restructuring to enhance operational efficiency and focus on core operations [1][2] HSBC Overview - HSBC is implementing a $1.5 billion cost-saving plan aimed at organizational simplification by 2026, with expected total severance and upfront charges of $1.8 billion [3] - The bank is divesting non-core operations in various regions, including the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., while concentrating on Asia and the Middle East [4] - HSBC is expanding its presence in Asia, proposing to privatize Hang Seng Bank and enhancing wealth operations in China and India [5] - Despite these initiatives, HSBC's revenue generation has been subdued due to a challenging macroeconomic environment and weak loan demand [6] Barclays Overview - Barclays is also simplifying operations, recently acquiring Best Egg for $800 million to strengthen its U.S. consumer finance capabilities [7] - The bank has divested its stake in Entercard Group for $273 million and its Germany-based consumer finance business, which is expected to improve profitability [8] - Barclays achieved gross savings of £1 billion in 2024 and anticipates total gross efficiency savings of £2 billion by the end of next year [9] Performance Comparison - Over the past six months, Barclays' shares increased by 43.9%, while HSBC's shares rose by 33.6%, outperforming the industry average of 26% [11] - In terms of valuation, HSBC has a price/tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 1.37X, while Barclays has a lower ratio of 0.96X, indicating that Barclays is relatively inexpensive [13] - Earnings estimates for HSBC suggest a 14.9% increase in 2025 and a 3.3% rise in 2026, while Barclays is projected to grow by 23.9% in 2025 and 21.3% in 2026 [15][17] Strategic Outlook - HSBC's strategic pivot towards high-growth Asian markets and comprehensive cost optimization positions it favorably for long-term gains despite near-term revenue pressures [19] - Barclays shows a stronger earnings outlook on paper, but its exposure to volatile capital markets raises concerns about consistent core income performance [20]

Core Viewpoint - The future performance of European and American bank stocks will increasingly depend on the sustainability of earnings rather than further valuation expansion [4]. Group 1: European Bank Stocks - European bank stocks have shown significant recovery in 2025, with the STOXX Europe 600 Banks index rising approximately 65% year-to-date, making it one of the best-performing sectors in Europe [1]. - Analysts suggest that the rise in European bank stocks is more of a structural recovery rather than a typical cyclical rebound, as their valuation levels were significantly lower than their U.S. counterparts prior to this increase [2]. - The negative impact of the prolonged low-interest-rate environment on European banks' profitability has been a key factor suppressing their valuations [2]. - Major European banks have seen substantial stock price increases, with Deutsche Bank up about 97%, HSBC up approximately 48%, BNP Paribas up around 35%, and UBS up about 30% year-to-date [2]. Group 2: American Bank Stocks - American bank stocks have demonstrated more stable performance in 2025, with notable increases such as Citigroup up about 68%, Goldman Sachs up approximately 57%, and JPMorgan Chase up around 35% [5]. - The core strength of the U.S. banking system lies in its profitability and diversified business structure, which helps mitigate traditional credit cycle fluctuations [5]. - The valuation recovery for U.S. banks began earlier than for European banks, with the market already pricing in expectations of an economic soft landing and interest rate cuts [5]. Group 3: Future Outlook - For 2026, the consensus is shifting from "valuation recovery" to "earnings verification," with European banks needing to see a substantial recovery in credit demand and a reduction in geopolitical risks to maintain their strong performance [6]. - In the U.S., the focus will be on the Federal Reserve's policy path, with large banks expected to maintain capital returns if interest rate cuts are gradual and the economy achieves a soft landing [6]. - The bank stock market in 2026 is expected to be more selective, requiring investors to pay closer attention to earnings quality, risk management, and structural differences between markets [6].

Core Viewpoint - HSBC Holdings announced that Ann Godbehere, the senior independent director and board member, will retire at the bank's 2026 annual general meeting due to personal and lifestyle reasons [1] Company Summary - Ann Godbehere led the search for a new chair prior to her retirement announcement [1]

格隆汇12月23日｜汇丰控股公告称，高级独立董事高安贤(Ann Godbehere)将于2026年股东周年大会结 束时退任。汇丰表示，董事会主席遴选已经完成，完全尊重她以个人和生活理由退任的决定。 ...

Group 1 - The core point of the article is that HSBC Holdings announced the resignation of senior independent director, Gao Anxian, who will step down from the board at the end of the company's 2026 annual general meeting [1]

汇丰控股(00005)发布公告，高级独立董事高安贤将会离职，于2026年公司股东周年大会结束时自董事 会退任。 ...

Core Viewpoint - HSBC Holdings (00005.HK) announced that senior independent director, Gao Anxian, will resign from the board at the end of the company's 2026 annual general meeting [1] Group 1 - The chairman of the group,聂智恒, expressed gratitude for Gao Anxian's significant contributions to the HSBC board [1] - The chairman confirmed that the selection process for a new chairman has been successfully completed and respects Gao Anxian's decision to resign for personal and lifestyle reasons [1] - Gao Anxian stated that serving on the HSBC board was an honor and expressed her best wishes for the board and management in executing their strategies [1]

香港交易及結算所有限公司及香港聯合交易所有限公司對本文件的內容概不負責，對其準確性或完 整性亦不發表任何聲明，並明確表示，概不對因本文件全部或任何部份內容而產生或因倚賴該等內 容而引致的任何損失承擔任何責任。 2025 年 12 月 23 日 (香港股份代號 : 5) HSBC Holdings plc 滙豐控股有限公司 董事會變動 隨附之公告現正於 HSBC Holdings plc 滙豐控股有限公司上市之證券交易所發布。 代表 滙豐控股有限公司 公司秘書長 戴愛蘭 於本公告發表之日，滙豐控股有限公司董事會成員包括：聶智恆*、艾橋智、鮑哲鈺†、段小纓†、 范貝恩女爵士†、傅偉思†、高安賢†、古肇華†、郭珮瑛、麥浩智博士†、莫佩娜†、梅愛苓†及張瑞蓮†。 * 獨立非執行主席 † 獨立非執行董事 HSBC Holdings plc 滙豐控股有限公司 註冊辦事處及集團總管理處： 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom 網站：www.hsbc.com 英格蘭及威爾斯註冊有限公司。註冊編號 617987 集團主席聶智恆表示：「我謹此多謝高安賢對滙豐董事會作出的重 ...

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing tensions between China and Japan are expected to negatively impact Chinese airlines, complicating their efforts to achieve profitability for the first time in six years during a seasonally weak period [1]. Industry Impact - Earnings for Chinese airlines are projected to be adversely affected, with analysts predicting continued pressure through early 2026 [2]. - The "Big Three" Chinese airlines have incurred combined losses of 206.4 billion yuan from 2020 to 2024, primarily due to the pandemic and increasing domestic competition [4]. - Flight restrictions to Japan are anticipated to further squeeze earnings during an already fragile period, as demand typically declines after the National Day holidays in October [5]. Company-Specific Insights - China Eastern Airlines, being the largest operator of flights between China and Japan, is more vulnerable to demand fluctuations compared to China Southern Airlines and Air China [3]. - Smaller airlines like Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines, while profitable, are also at risk due to the reduced demand for flights to Japan [3]. Mitigation Strategies - Chinese airlines are adapting by reallocating spare capacity to other destinations such as Thailand and South Korea, and relaxed visa policies for Chinese travelers to Russia present new opportunities [6]. - Scheduled flights to Japan from China were reduced by nearly 50% in December, with an average reduction of 38% expected through the end of March [7]. Revenue Considerations - Japan has historically been the most profitable route for Chinese airlines in terms of passenger yield, which is under pressure this year [8]. - The shift in capacity to other routes may further impact passenger yields, although the effects may not be significant in the fourth quarter but could manifest in the first quarter [9]. Long-Term Outlook - There are signs of optimism in long-term fundamentals, as a stronger yuan reduces jet fuel costs, which have been declining [9]. - Rising inbound travel is identified as a key growth driver for Chinese airlines, allowing for tiered pricing strategies that cater to international passengers [10]. - A sustained recovery in business travel is expected to enhance airlines' pricing power [11].

Market Overview - The Hang Seng Index (HSI) closed at 25,849.55, up by 47.78 points or 0.19% from the previous close [1] - The index reached a high of 25,866.92 and a low of 25,705.84 during the trading session [1] - The trading volume was 32.1069 million shares [1] Major Blue-Chip Stocks Performance - HSBC Holdings closed at 122.506 HKD, an increase of 0.99% compared to the Hong Kong close [2] - Tencent Holdings closed at 614.085 HKD, a slight decrease of 0.07% from the Hong Kong close [2] - Alibaba Group (W) saw a rise of 0.76%, closing at 146.400 HKD [3] Stock Price Movements - Tencent Holdings: Latest price 614.500 HKD, up by 0.500 HKD (0.08%), ADR price 614.085 HKD, down by 0.415 HKD (-0.07%) [3] - Alibaba Group (W): Latest price 146.400 HKD, up by 1.100 HKD (0.76%), ADR price 146.811 HKD, up by 0.411 HKD (0.28%) [3] - HSBC Holdings: Latest price 121.300 HKD, up by 2.000 HKD (1.68%), ADR price 122.506 HKD, up by 1.206 HKD (0.99%) [3] - Xiaomi Group (W): Latest price 39.800 HKD, down by 0.740 HKD (-1.83%), ADR price 39.647 HKD, down by 0.153 HKD (-0.38%) [3] - AIA Group: Latest price 82.650 HKD, up by 0.150 HKD (0.18%), ADR price 83.053 HKD, up by 0.403 HKD (0.49%) [3]